Mayor asks for cut following offer to Whitby

Slots at Ajax Downs Casino

PICKERING -- Pickering wants a share of Ajax's casino revenue, even after Whitby turned down a similar offer.

Pickering Mayor David Ryan has sent a letter to Ajax Mayor Steve Parish requesting that Pickering be considered for a share in revenues from Ajax Downs. The letter came after Ajax offered Whitby a 15-per cent share of revenues annually, or about $1 million a year.

"Pickering should also share in the revenues from a local gaming facility," Mayor Ryan wrote.

"Given that the Province plans for one privately operated casino for the Ajax, Pickering, Whitby area of Durham Region, it only makes sense that casino revenues should be shared on an equitable, proportionate basis among the Region and those three municipalities."

According to Mayor Ryan, the request is not a new one from Pickering. Given that the three municipalities have been labeled as one gaming zone by the Province, he thinks it is time to revisit the issue.

"We have had this discussion before, it's been going on for years, probably since the slots became operational in Ajax," Mayor Ryan said.

"With the new round of discussion with Whitby, we thought it was important to reiterate our contention that revenue should be shared since we all share in the servicing of the site."

Over the summer, Whitby declared itself a willing host for a casino, and entered into negotiations with Ajax for a share of casino proceeds. Ajax's offer of 15 per cent was eventually turned down by the municipality, a move that Mayor Parish says effectively shut down the conversation for not only Whitby, but Pickering as well.

"The letter was sent after we made the proposal to Whitby, but before Whitby turned it down," Mayor Parish said.

"There's no foundation now to be any type of agreement between Ajax and Pickering or the region. There's no purpose in considering a proposal from Pickering because it hasn't gone forward to make itself a willing host, and because there is no arrangement with Whitby."

Pickering council voted down a motion to declare the city a willing host for a casino in April. However, Mayor Ryan notes that impacts from the Ajax facility can create costs related to social services and infrastructure that should be offset.

"For people to access the casino they're going to use a lot of municipal infrastructure, including roads, transportation and policing, and there's also social issues that arise from gaming," he explained.

"I think a percentage share would be appropriate. Ajax should retain the majority of revenue because it's in their municipality, and we acknowledge that, but I think there should be a reasonable share."

Mayor Parish said he has seen no evidence of financial impacts to date.

"We've had no indication there's ever any negative impact from our facility on them," he said. "If there is some basis we would be pleased to hear it and consider it but as of now we're not aware of any impacts."